Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter

Walking around the scenery was beautiful, the architecture of some of the buildings was awesome to see. The canal area was my favourite area as it was so beautiful and peaceful. There were fish and swans in the canal which was nice to see. Overall I would highly recommend this place to visit to even to just walk around for an hour or two it’s worth it.

We visited during late July on a weekday late afternoon. It’s not too crowded, but the sun was scorching. We tried a peach parfait and murasuzume, both popular local treats in Kurashiki. Most shops closed around 5–6pm and the streets became quiet. It was a good time for a slow walk along the canal with the old buildings and boats. Since we are not into denim shopping, a few hours here was enough to enjoy the town at a relaxed pace.

This is a lovely place for a stopover. The old quarter invites you to linger and explore. If you walk up to the temple, you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful view over the neighborhood. Just like in Venice, small boats glide along the canal, adding to the cozy and charming atmosphere.

It’s famous for its gorgeous scenery and historic buildings! If you visit Okayama, you have to hangout here! It will bring you a great time and unique experience to wander around the wonderful spot! Moreover, you can find all kinds of amazing sights and food to enjoy your leisure time! You will deserve it and make you satisfied and happy during the peaceful time!

A very touristy place populated by mostly local tourist and very few international tourist. There's restaurants, cafes, shops selling various stuff, and also a denim street focused on selling Japan's famous Selvedge Denim jeans and apparel. At the middle of it all is a canal where you can take a ride on one of those small boats just for fun. Place was very filled when on a Monday

A nice and relaxing place for experiencing the traditional view of Japanese community with rivers, boats, and white-walled mansions. There are interesting shops and desserts/ coffee cafes along the river. There is also a denim area which is famous for making denim clothes in Okayama.

This doesn’t feel like Japan—it’s like stepping into a different era. I get why people call it the “Venice of Japan.” The canal, willow trees, and white-walled buildings give it a timeless charm. It’s peaceful and perfect for a slow, scenic walk. A must-visit spot in Kurashiki. If you have time, hop on the boat ride for the full experience—it’s not a must-do, but worth it if you want something extra.

A beautiful historic center, with several shopping and dining options around the river. The houses are perfectly preserved and you feel like you're going back in time as you walk through the streets. The cherry blossoms add a special touch. Just be careful with the nearby parking lots: they are very expensive.

Step into the the Kurashikik Bikanchiku area, and you will be transported to the Edo period, where shogun were know to walk the street, merchants moving by boat in the river and shop keepers selling various items to satisfy any need. The architechture and landscapes stay very true to the original layout of the Bikan area. Many of the buildings still have burned exterior walls to keep out pests and moisture. One thing I would intriguing was the temple within the area of Bikan, it is very large with playful dog statues on the roof. The local bank building is also gorgeous! White walls and a very high ceiling, I wouldn't have guessed it to be a bank. We ate murasusume sweets, a kind of sweet crepe with an (red bean) filling and rode on rickshaw rides, pulled by muscular lads in shorts, who explained a little about the area and historical landmarks. There were dozens of small shops, some selling candy and snacks, others selling handmade key chains and tourist trinkets, and a few selling antiques and Edo period inspired items. A few in my group experienced houjicha roasting, or the roasting of green tea. It was about an hour long to learn the techniques and tricks of what the color and smell should emulate. Highly recommended for any visitor, from Japan or anywhere around the world to visit this little historical site.

The old merchant/warehouse area turned into a shopping district. If you love history and historical places , then this place is a must when in Okayama area. Restaurants, museums and different kinds of shops line up the streets. It's not that big and can easily be finish within a day if you are doing it slowly. An hour or two if you are on a rush. You can also take the very short traditional boat ride, for a fee of course. This is my second time walking along the streets of old Kurashiki and I still like it. I like the atmosphere and the ambiance in this place.